Travel Agent

Nancy Mettes of Damar Travel, the official NGS conference travel agent, will work with you to provide an economical travel plan. Tell Nancy you want to make your reservation for the 2018 NGS Family History Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and be sure to mention if you are a senior citizen. Contact: 800-999-6101 or nancy.mettes@damartravel.com.

By Air

Five major airlines (Delta, United, American, Southwest, and Allegiant) have 120 nonstop flights daily into the Gerald R. Ford International Airport from twenty-four major cities, including New York (LaGuardia and Newark), Philadelphia, Washington D.C. (Dulles and National), Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Phoenix, Orlando, Tampa, and Ft. Lauderdale. Details can be found at http://www.grr.org/nonstop-routes.php. By booking in advance, most flights can be purchased for under $500. Flights and pricing are subject to change.

Ground Transportation

Metro Cab (phone: 616-827-6500) is available from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to downtown Grand Rapids, approximately 13 miles, for an average price of $32.00 plus tip. Uber and Lyft also have service in Grand Rapids.

The Rapid bus system goes downtown on bus Route 17 transferring to Route 5 for $1.50 including one transfer pass. The bus schedule is available at http://www.ridetherapid.org.

Grand Rapids is also accessible by Amtrak through Chicago. The train to Grand Rapids currently leaves Union Station in Chicago at 6:30 p.m. and arrives in Grand Rapids about 11:30 p.m., which includes a one-hour time change from Central Daylight Time to Eastern Daylight Time.

By Road

From Points West: I-196 Gerald Ford Freeway east to Exit 77C for Ottawa Avenue NW toward downtown Grand Rapids. Stay in the right lane and turn right onto Michigan Street W, and then left on to Monroe Avenue NW.

From Points East: I-96 west to I-196 Gerald Ford Freeway towards downtown Grand Rapids. Take exit 77C for Ottawa Avenue toward downtown. Keep right at the fork and follow signs for Michigan Street NW and merge onto Ottawa Avenue NW. Stay in the right lane and turn right onto Michigan Street NW, and then left on to Monroe Avenue NW.

From Points South: US-131 north to Exit 84B Business US-131. Proceed north on Division Avenue S to Michigan Street NW. Turn left onto Michigan Street NW, and then left onto Monroe Avenue NW.

From Points North: US-131 South. Merge into I-196 east and take the first exit Ottawa Avenue NW. Stay in the right lane and turn right onto Michigan Street W and then left on to Monroe Avenue NW.